GBA

With its 30th anniversary, a lot of people have been talking about the long-running strategy franchise, and many are being introduced to what it has to offer. So where do you start if you want to get into the series? What’s the next step if you enjoy Three Houses or mobile hit Fire Emblem Heroes, and where do you go after that? We’re here to help you answer those questions.

Some games stand out; everything about them is compelling in some way. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, they end up lost to the sands of time. Perhaps it is because they belong to a genre that isn’t among the most popular. They could be trapped in Japan. Maybe there are even issues with a developer or they were released at the end of a system’s cycle. Hatena Satena, a nonogram game with Minesweeper elements from Hudson Soft, is one of those stellar titles that became a victim of circumstance.

With Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon out on the Nintendo 3DS last year and Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate gracing Vitas two weeks ago, you may have developed a taste for tough-as-nails dungeon-crawlers. Roguelikes are on the rise. But then, when it comes to these Spike Chunsoft joints, they always have been.

Columns is one of those puzzle games that, well, might not be the most memorable. It takes some time to learn how to properly play. It could be difficult to distinguish between installments to figure out the best one for someone’s needs. Fortunately, it isn’t too difficult to find the “right” entry in the series. Especially if a person is willing to import.

If you’re alive and on this planet, it’s likely that you’ve played at least one Mario Kart game. So a beginner’s guide may seem a bit strange! Still, there’s room for everyone to explore further into the excellent series, and we’re here to help.

Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance is a friendly, capable handheld with a wealth of great games that just didn’t make it to America. Its combination of power and relative simplicity means that there are some interesting experiences you can have and they’re not as text-heavy as more modern platforms’ offerings. Here are the best of the best!

There can be a certain expectation from pet simulation games. People might think there needs to be an opportunity for constant activity from such games. Titles like Nintendogs spoiled people, since the dogs were always in motion, ready to accept attention, eat, go for walks and participate in activities. But certain games get that actual pet ownership isn’t like it. Namely, Atlus’ Hamster Paradise series tend to understand that it can be a spectator sport and realize that is okay. In particular, Hamster Paradise Advanchu gets what these little critters are like.